Diplomats with these koalafications don't come cheap.
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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop could barely contain her glee when she was filmed with the furry foursome of Paddle, Chan, Pelita and Idalia at the launch of Singapore Zoo's new koala exhibit last week.
But Australian taxpayers might not be so happy to learn that the diplomatic donation – made to mark 50 years of Australia-Singapore relations – cost them $133,100.
It's a hefty price tag given the eucalyptus-loving envoys are only on loan for up to 10 months. It covers the cost of quarantine and medical tests, documentation and training for Singapore Zoo staff. It also covers the occasional check-up by Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary staff.
The cost of transportation of the koalas – and the twice-weekly delivery of fresh eucalyptus – is being covered by Qantas.
The bill for Ms Bishop's brief visit to Singapore are not included in the total. In a whirlwind few hours on the ground, Ms Bishop also launched a new arts program and met with the country's leaders.
Ms Bishop said the koalas were a "fitting gift" given the significance of Australia's relationship with Singapore.
She said the exhibit would be a key focus of Singapore's anniversary of independence celebrations, and it was expected to be among the most popular areas of Singapore Zoo for the duration of the loan.
The gift has already garnered widespread Singaporean media attention.
"The expenditure is modest in comparison with traditional tourism advertising and marketing budgets yet is expected to yield enormous benefits in terms of increased tourist numbers to Australia," Ms Bishop told Fairfax Media.
Singapore's prime minister and foreign minister both spoke of their "deep appreciation" for the gift, she added.
But Labor's waste spokesman Pat Conroy called the cost ridiculous.
"They're happy to obliterate foreign aid but there's $133,000 lying around for koala diplomacy?" he said.
It's not the first time koala diplomacy has hit the headlines.
Taxpayers were slugged $24,000 last year to hire koalas to cuddle world leaders at the Brisbane G20, hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
